Garment-exposing trouser hanger

ABSTRACT

A trouser hanger adapted to support without slippage a folded pair of trousers from a clothes bar or rail, in side-by-side relation to a plurality of other similarly supported trousers, all in such a manner that the uppermost or folded portion of the trousers is visible from a viewpoint in front of and above the supporting clothes bar or rail, thereby to apprise a user of the color and nature of the fabric of the trousers. The device comprises a pair of substantially parallel, spaced horizontal bars disposed one above the other with a hook member attached to the center of the lower bar and extending upward past the upper bar and having a curved upper terminus adapted to be placed over the garment rail. The bars are mounted or secured to each other at their ends, in such a manner that one end of the upper bar can be temporarily separated from the lower bar for the purpose of sliding a folded pair of trousers on the upper bar to be supported thereby and to hang pendent therefrom past the lower bar. Due to the support of the trousers by the upper of the two bars, the fold of the trousers will be visible when the hanger is disposed on a garment rail alongside of a plurality of similar hangers and supported trousers, from a vantage point at the front of and above the rail. Thus, an instant determination of the color and fabric of the garment is had, without moving or shifting any of the hangers or garments. Non-slip means are provided on one bar, for clamping the supported trousers in cooperation with the other bar so as to prevent slippage of the trousers.

tilted States Sullivan atent [54] GARMENT-EXPOSING TROUSER HANGER [76] Inventor: John J. Sullivan, 3920 Granby St.,

Norfolk, Va. 23504 [22] Filed: Sept. 3, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 69,259

[51] Int. Cl. ..A47j 51/097 [58] Field of Search ..223/85, 87, 93, 95,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Primary Examiner-George H. Krizmanich AttorneyH. Gibner Lehmann and K. Gibner Lehmann 57 ABSTRACT A trouser hanger adapted to support without slippage a folded pair of trousers from a clothes bar or rail, in side-by-side relation to a plurality of other similarly supported trousers, all in such a manner that the uppermost or folded portion of the trousers is visible from a viewpoint in front of and above the supporting clothes bar or rail, thereby to apprise a user of the color and nature of the fabric of the trousers. The device comprises a pair of substantially parallel, spaced horizontal bars disposed one above the other with a hook member attached to the center of the lower bar and extending upward past the upper bar and having a curved upper terminus adapted to be placed over the garment rail. The bars are mounted or secured to each other at their ends, in such a manner that one end of the upper bar can be temporarily separated from the lower bar for the purpose of sliding a folded pair of trousers on the upper bar to be supported thereby and to hang pendent therefrom past the lower bar, Due to the support of the trousers by the upper of the two bars, the fold of the trousers will be visible when the hanger is disposed on a garment rail alongside of a plurality of similar hangers and supported trousers, from a vantage point at the front of and above the rail. Thus, an instant determination of the color and fabric of the garment is had, without moving or shifting any of the hangers or garments. Non-slip means are provided on one bar, for clamping the supported trousers in cooperation with the other bar so as to prevent slippage of the trousers.

5 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 1 75 SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENTOR. JOZ-ZNJ Jazz/144M PATENTEDHAY H 3,730,406

SHEET 2 (IF 2 INVENTOR JOHNJ. SUZULMN GARMENT-EXPOSING TROUSER HANGER BACKGROUND This invention relates to trouser hangers of the type provided with a suspending hook by which a pair of trousers when folded approximately in half, can be supported on a garment rail. Heretofore garment or coat hangers have comprised either a bar or Wire connected at its ends with upward and inward sloping portions, all

the lower end of the hook formation, adapted to clamp the superposed cuffs or cuff portions of an unfolded pair of trousers.

Still other (trouser) hangers have been constituted of a pair of substantially parallel spaced horizontal bars disposed one above the other with a hanger hook part attached to the upper one of the two bars and extending upward for engagement with the garment rail. The ends of the two bars are connected with each other, and one end of the lower bar is arranged to be temporarily separated from the upper bar for the purpose of sliding a folded pair of trousers on the lower bar to be supported thereby, and to hang pendent therefrom.

All of the foregoing trouser and coat or garment hangers have defects and disadvantages, in that when they are hanging side-by-side, pendent from a garment rail and supporting a pair of trousers it is not readily possible, from a viewpoint in front and above the garment rail, to ascertain the color and texture'of the fabric of the trousers which are being supported, particularly the trousers supported by any one hanger; and in that supported trousers often slip from the hanger, and become wrinkled or else drop to the fioor.

SUMMARY The above drawbacks and disadvantages of prior trouser and garment hangers are obviated by the present invention, which has for one object the provision of a novel and improved trouser hanger of the type intended to be supported on a garment rail and to carry a folded pair of trousers, wherein the fold portion of the trousers is disposed uppermost on the hanger and is clearly visible to view from a point in front of and above the garment rail, and additionally cannot slip from the hanger to become wrinkled or fall to the floor. This is accomplished by the provision of a pair of substantially parallel spaced horizontal bars and a hanger hook part which is attached to the lower one of the said bars and extends upward past the upper bar. The said hook part has the usual curved top hook portion adapted to be supported by a horizontal clothes rail. The ends of the two bars are mounted or secured to each other in such a manner that one end of the upper bar can be temporarily separated from the lower bar for the purpose of sliding a folded pair of trousers on the upper bar to be supported thereby and to hang pendent therefrom past the lower bar. The two bars may be made either of two separate pieces or else of one piece, with a resilient construction at one pair of ends, and with the other pair of corresponding ends separably connected either by a hook arrangement or else by a slotted socket or other configuration. One bar, preferably the lower, carries a non-slip clamping pad which cooperates with the other bar to grip the folded trousers securely and prevent their slippage.

Other objects and advantages of the invention are to provide an improved trouser hanger as above characterized, which is especially simple in its construction, can be fabricated either from molded plastic and metal, or else made entirely from metal in either one integral piece or else as separate pieces; an improved trouser hanger as above set forth, which is sturdy and reliable in its operation, and which may be easily and conveniently actuated, and a trouser hanger of the type indicated, which is especially durable and capable of having a long useful life without the likelihood of failure or requiring servicing, repair, etc.

Still other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings showing several embodiments of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a trouser hanger constituted of both metal and plastic, and comprising a multipiece construction.

FIG. 2 is a left end elevational view of the trouser hanger of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of an all metal, all wire trouser hanger constituted of essentially two separate pieces.

FIG. 4 is a left end elevational view of the trouser hanger of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a trouser hanger made essentially from a single piece of metal wire.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary right end elevational view of the hook portion of the trouser hanger of FIG. 5.

' FIG. 7 is a left end elevational view of the trouser hanger of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section horizontal, taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of another form of the invention wherein the hanger has means for clamping the trousers against slippage.

FIG. 10 is an edge elevational view of the hanger of FIG. 9, looking toward the left end as seen in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a horizontal section on the line 1lll1 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the hook portion of the hanger of FIGS. 9-11.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary side elevational view of still another embodiment of the invention.

Considering first FIGS. 1 and 2, the trouser hanger illustrated therein comprises a pair of substantially parallel, spaced horizontal bars l0, 12 disposed one above the other, the bar 10 being constituted of a straight resilient piece of stiff wire having sufficient strength to carry a pair of trousers folded approximately in half, the fold portion resting on the bar 10.

The bar 12 is shown as constituted of molded plastic substance, having upstanding right angled end portions 14, 16, the portion 16 having embedded in it one end of the upper bar or wire 10. The lower plastic bar 12 may have reinforcing ribs 18,20,22 to reduce its cross sectional area and masswithout materially adversely effecting its strength and to thereby improve the curing time.

At its center, the lower bar 12 has a vertical hub portion 24 which is vertically bored and receives the lower end portion 26 of the hanger or hook 28, such end portion being shown as straight and having drifted or stamped ears 30 to prevent the portion 36 from being withdrawn vertically from the hub 24. The hook 28 has an angularly extending portion 32, providing an offset, and has an upper straight portion 34 terminating in a curved portion 36 and a bill 38 which are adapted to be accommodated and supported by a horizontal clothes rail, as is well understood. The hook 28 can have a limited amount of turning movement, depending on engagement of the angular portion 32, such movement being on the order of 180, from the position illustrated in FIG. 1, to a mirror-opposite position obtained by turning the hook counterclockwise as viewed from above.

It will be understood that the hook 28 is thus separate from the upper trouser supporting bar 10. The upwardly extending end portion 14 of the lower bar 12 is provided with a resilient socket 40 having an entrance opening 42 into which the left extremity 44 of the upper bar can be forced, to temporarily retain the bar in the straight full-line position illustrated. However, the left extremity 44 of the upper bar 10 can be readily shifted out of the socket 40 and the bar sprung or bent to the dotted line position illustrated in FIG. 1 whereby the folded portion of a pair of trousers may be slipped over the upper bar, as can now be understood. The left extremity 44 of the upper bar is then restored in the split socket 40 of the lower bar, and the trousers will hang pendent from the upper bar downward past one side of the lower bar 12 without interference from the hook 28. The position that a pair of trousers can have, hanging pendent from the upper bar 10 is indicated by the broken line showing 46 in FIG. 3, wherein the trousers are supported on an upper bar 48 of another embodiment of the invention shortly to be described.

The end portions 14 and 16 of the lower bar 12 project above the terminal portions of the upper bar 10 and constitute stops, to effect proper positioning of the trousers on the upper bar.

It will now be understood from the foregoing description and showing of the drawings, that a pair of folded trousers may be easily applied to the trouser hanger of the invention to be carried by an upper one of two horizontal parallel bars thereof, the trousers and hanger in turn being carried by a usual type of horizontal clothes rail. In such circumstance, the color and fabric of the trousers supported by the upper rail I0 will be readily visible from above, and particularly from a vantage point in front of and above the horizontal clothes rail illustrated by the dotted outline 50 in FIG. 1.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, wherein the trouser hanger is constituted entirely of metal wire essentially, eliminating plastic parts and the correspondingly high cost of plastic molds. In FIG. 3, the upper bar 48 is integral with a lower bar 52, being joined thereto by an upstanding portion 54 and a raised curved stub portion of small radius 56. The wire 48, 52 is springy or resilient, and is constituted of heavy gauge stock whereby it will not bent or sag under the weight of trousers or in usage.

At its left extremity, the lower bar 52 has an upstanding hook portion 58 provided with a bill 60, adapted to receive the left extremity 62 of the upper bar 48. The hook portion 58, extends above the left extremity of the upper bar 48 and constitutes a stop to aid in positioning the trousers thereon. Normally, the upper bar 48 has an upward bias, that is, it is formed with a curvature so that it tends to assume a curved shape indicated by the broken outline 64 in FIG. 3. In the same manner, the upper bar 10 of FIG. 1, may, if desired, be provided with a bias or initial curvature by which it tends to attain a curved shape indicated by the broken outline 66 when the left extremity 44 is feed of restraint in the socket 40.

At its center portion, in FIG. 3, the lower bar 52 is provided with a cruciform-shaped metal fitting or stamping 68 which has an upwardly extending hub portion 70 adapted to accommodate the lower straight portion 72 of a hook part 74 having an angularly extended intermediate portion 76 and an upward straight portion 78, as well as a curved portion 80 and bill 82. The hook 74 may be rigidly attached to the lower bar 52 by the cruciform stamping 68 whereby it cannot have relative turning movement with respect to the bars 48, 52. Use of the hanger of FIGS. 3 and 4 is similar to that already described above. To apply the trousers 46 to the upper part 48, the left extremity 62 thereof is disengaged from the upstanding hook portion 58 of the lower bar 52. The trousers when folded are then slipped over the upper bar 48 and the latter again restored to the captive position in the hook 58 as shown by the full line showing of FIGS. 3 and 4.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 58, wherein the entire clothes hanger essentially is constituted of a single piece of stiff metal wire. The upper bar 84 of the hanger of FIG. 5 is biased upward, so that it normally tends to occupy the broken line position indicated by the line 86. When the upper bar 84 is held captive, it is essentially straight as indicated by the full line showing in FIG. 5. The right end of the upper bar 84 is joined to the right half portion 88 of the lower bar by an upstanding end portion 90 and small-radius stop portion 92. At the center of the lower bar of the hanger, the bar portion 88 extends upward at right angles, comprising a short straight portion 94. The bar then extends upward angularly at a portion 96, and thereafter upward vertically at a portion 98. The wire then has a curved uppermost portion 100, a downwardly extending bill portion 102 and a transverse curved connector portion 104. The wire then again extends angularly upward at a portion 106, having a curved portion 108 and a downwardly vertically extending portion 110 and an angularly extending portion 112 disposed behind the angular portion 96 as viewed in FIG. 5. The wire then has a short vertical straight portion disposed behind the portion 94 when viewing FIG. 5, after which it is bent to extend horizontally and constitute the left half 114. The portions 88 and 114 together constitute the lower bar of the hanger. The straight portion 94 and the short vertical straight portion behind it are securely clamped together by a metal sleeve or collar 116.

Referring to FIG. 6, the vertical portions 98 and 110 have offset bends 118, so as to bring the straight portions 98, 110 which are clamped by the sleeve 116 -be understood that the offsets 118, 120 may be dispensed with and instead the curved hook portion 100, 108 juxtaposed to each other and actually in contact.

At its left end, the lower bar portion 114 has an upstanding straight portion 122 provided with a hook 124 adapted to accommodate the left extremity 126 of the upper bar 84. The hook portion 122, 124 extends above the left extremity 126 of the upper bar 84 and constitutes a stop to aid in positioning the trousers thereon.

The hook 128 of the hanger of FIG. is stationary with respect to the lower bar portions 88, 114, as will be understood, there being no swivel action whatsoever as in the case with the embodiment of FIG. 3. However, it will be seen that in FIG. 3 the hook portion may be rotatably carried by the cruciform-shaped stamping 68 to enable movement through an arc of approximately 180, if this should be desired.

Still another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9-12. In this embodiment there is provided a novel and simplified means for preventing slippage of the folded garment or trousers when the latter is being supported on the hanger. The construction-of FIGS. 9-12 is essentially constituted of a single piece of wire, with the exception of a pressure pad device adapted to bear against the trousers when the latter are being carried on the hanger. As shown, the hanger comprises a hook portion 132 which is constituted of a folded or bent end or bill 134 and two adjoining curved portions 136, these being integral with each other. Below the hook 132, the two wires making up the hook are formed into a twist 138, and below the twist, the wires separate or extend in opposite horizontal directions, there being a portion 140 extending to the left and a portion 142 extending to the right. The

horizontal portion 140 terminates in a vertical depending portion 144, which joins with a lower horizontal portion 146 having an upstanding end 148 provided with a lateral offset 150 which terminates in an open hook 152 the lower portion 148a of which constitutes an abutment portion engageable by the upper bar of the hanger. The horizontal portion 142 terminates in a straight depending portion 154 which is joined to a horizontal lower portion 156 having an upwardly sloping end 158 at which the wire is formed into a loop 160. From the loop 160, the wire extends to the left as viewed in FIGS. 9 and 11 and comprises a straight, garment-engaging-and-supporting portion 162 whose left end or extremity is received in the open hook 152 and is supported by the abutment 148a thereof, said extremity terminating in an eye 164. Preferably the straight garment-supporting portion 162 of the hanger has a bias or curvature as indicated by the broken outline 166 in FIG. 11. Thus, when the left end portion of the straight support wire 162 is accepted by the hook 152 it will be retained therein against inadvertent displacement.

In accordance with the invention, the straight wire portions 140, 142 and 144, 154 support a metal backing plate 168 by means of four curved clamps 170 which are integral with the plate 168. Secured to the metal backing plate 168 is a relatively thick resilient pad 172, which may be formed of sponge rubber, resilient sponge plastic or the like. The pad 172 may be cemented to the backing plate 168 or otherwise secured thereto. It will be seen from an inspection of FIG. 11 that only very little space exists between the straight bar or wire portion 162 and the pad 172, and suchspace is normally occupied by the thicker, seam portions of the folded trousers. The pad 172 in addition to being yieldable or resilient, has a non-slip surfacing whereby the net result is a gripping of the folded trousers when the latter are supported on the hanger, due to the pressure exerted on the trousers by the straight bar 162 and the pad 172. Accordingly, the supported, folded trousers will be prevented from slipping off the straight bar 162.

Thus, with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 9-12 the construction is such that not only are the trousers visible at the top of the hanger, but the trousers are clamped between the supporting bar on which they are folded, and the cooperable bar or hanger portion whereby slippage of the trousers from or on the hanger is positively prevented. The clamping non-slip pad 172-does not prevent the trousers from being easily applied to the hanger or removed therefrom, since the straight hanger bar 162 when released from the hook 152 opens up, so to speak, to the broken line position illustrated in FIG. 11 which facilitates the applying or removal of the trousers. The embodiment of FIGS. 9-12 thus has a number of important advantages, as compared with prior'trouser or garment hangers.

Still another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 13. This embodiment is somewhat similar to that of FIGS. 9-12 except that the non-slip pad and backing plate are longer, and the plate provides additional strength and rigidity to the lower or connector bar, and therefore to the entire hanger. As shown, the lower bar 176 having the eye 152a and offset 158a is itself angularly offset upward at its center portions to give a crowned configuration, said center portions comprising angular parts 178 and 180, horizontal parts 182, 184, and twisted parts 186 forming part of the hook (not shown, but similar to hook 132 of FIGS. 9, l0 and 12). A reinforcing and backing plate 168a has clamps a by which it is secured to the parts 178, 180, 182 and 184 of the lower bar. Attached to the plate 1680 is a non-slip pad 1720 of sponge rubber or plastic.

The clamp bar 162a has a plain cut-off end 164a without an eye such as the eye 164 of FIG. 9. Action and operation of the hanger of FIG. 13 is similar to that of FIGS. 9-12, with the pad 172a and bar 162a clamping the trousers. The longer plate 168a provides added strength and reinforcement, as compared with the embodiment of FIGS. 9-12.

It will now be understood from the foregoing that I have provided a novel and improved trouser hanger adapted to support a folded pair of trousers from a garment rail, wherein the fold portion of the trousers is uppermost on the hanger and is readily visible from above and in front of the garment rail, thereby to enable a looking for a particular color and style of fabric, need not shift the various trousers and hangers apart in order to find the garment that he is seeking. Instead, he can readily view the entire row of garments carried on the rail and see at a glance the colors, style of fabric, etc.

The various constructions are seen to be especially simple, practical, sturdy and durable and easily operated even by inexperienced personnel. The steps necessary to apply the folded trousers to the hanger are virtually obvious, and the trousers will be properly supported without wrinkling when hanging from the garment rail.

Variations and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1 claim:

1. A trouser hanger comprising, in combination:

a. a pair of substantially parallel spaced, horizontal bars disposed one above the other, each bar being constituted as a straight piece unbroken in its entire length,

b. a hanger hook part constituted solely of a single wire which is attached to the center portion of the lower one of said bars, and which extends upward past the upper bar, said hook part having a curved top hook portion adapted to extend around and to be supported by a horizontal clothes rail, and

c. a pair of support means respectively at the ends of the lower bar, for mounting the upper bar on the lower, said upper bar being resilient and having a free end to enable a pair of trousers to be slipped thereover and supported thereby, one of said support means enabling the free end of the upper bar to be temporarily separated from it for the purpose of sliding a folded pair of trousers on the upper bar to be supported thereby and to hang pendent therefrom past the lower bar,

(1. said one support means comprising an elongate upstanding portion of the lower bar, having its upper end free and having at its upper end an open upwardly facing socket receiving the said free end of the upper bar,

. said socket having at its bottom an abutment porsaid upper and lower bars being spaced apart vertically a distance which is a large multiple of the thickness of the upper bar so as to minimize creasing of the trousers.

. A hanger as in claim 1, wherein: the upper and lower bars comprise a single unitary piece of wire formed into a U-shaped portion,

. said bars constituting the legs of the U-shaped portion.

. A hanger as in claim 2, wherein:

the hook part constitutes a piece separate from said U-shaped portion, and

. a cruciform-shaped clamp'securing the hook part to the lower bar. A hanger as in claim 1, wherein:

. the upper and lower bars and the hook part are constituted of a single unitary piece of wire,

. said hook part comprising two wire portions extending alongside each other and having substantially the same configuration.

. A hanger as in claim 1, wherein: the upper and lower bars and the hook part are constituted ofa single unitary piece of wire,

. said lower bar comprising two straight, aligned wire portions having angular connections to said hook part. 

1. A trouser hanger comprising, in combination: a. a pair of substantially parallel spaced, horizontal bars disposed one above the other, each bar being constituted as a straight piece unbroken in its entire length, b. a hanger hook part constituted solely of a single wire which is attached to the center portion of the lower one of said bars, and which extends upward past the upper bar, said hook part having a curved top hook portion adapted to extend around and to be supported by a horizontal clothes rail, and c. a pair of support means respectively at the ends of the lower bar, for mounting the upper bar on the lower, said upper bar being resilient and having a free end to enable a pair of trousers to be slipped thereover and supported thereby, one of said support means enabling the free end of the upper bar to be temporarily separated from it for the purpose of sliding a folded pair of trousers on the upper bar to be supported thereby and to hang pendent therefrom past tHe lower bar, d. said one support means comprising an elongate upstanding portion of the lower bar, having its upper end free and having at its upper end an open upwardly facing socket receiving the said free end of the upper bar, e. said socket having at its bottom an abutment portion underlying said free end of the upper bar to positively support the latter when weighted by the pair of trousers, the socket having a configuration such that the weight of the supported trousers tends to hold the free end of the upper bar more securely therein, f. said upper and lower bars being spaced apart vertically a distance which is a large multiple of the thickness of the upper bar so as to minimize creasing of the trousers.
 2. A hanger as in claim 1, wherein: a. the upper and lower bars comprise a single unitary piece of wire formed into a U-shaped portion, b. said bars constituting the legs of the U-shaped portion.
 3. A hanger as in claim 2, wherein: a. the hook part constitutes a piece separate from said U-shaped portion, and b. a cruciform-shaped clamp securing the hook part to the lower bar.
 4. A hanger as in claim 1, wherein: a. the upper and lower bars and the hook part are constituted of a single unitary piece of wire, b. said hook part comprising two wire portions extending alongside each other and having substantially the same configuration.
 5. A hanger as in claim 1, wherein: a. the upper and lower bars and the hook part are constituted of a single unitary piece of wire, b. said lower bar comprising two straight, aligned wire portions having angular connections to said hook part. 